In episode 297, Geoffrey and Kristy go live to talk remakes, theme, and the realities of writing inside a studio system. They compare the new Running Man to the Arnold classic, explore why Predator: Badlands feels like a surprise standout, and break down Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein as a case study in subtlety and adaptation. They also answer live viewer questions about originality in Hollywood, story structure, outlining, and how to keep writing from getting overcomplicated. Geoffrey shares two new Script Leads and previews the big 300th episode giveaway,

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How to weave theme into your story without stating it out loud
• Why del Toro’s Frankenstein hits key book elements and where it still sidesteps the core nature vs nurture idea
• The difference between three act and five act structure, and how to spot it while watching
• How studio pressures shape “originality” in modern films
• A mind map technique to create new story ideas fast

Key Moments

• 00:37 Talking the 300th episode giveaway and Virtual Geoffrey
• 01:38 Breaking down the new Running Man vs the 1987 original
• 06:49 Why Predator: Badlands works and Dan Trachtenberg’s direction for the franchise
• 09:03 Debunking the bad advice that writers must state the theme directly
• 17:27 Why del Toro’s Frankenstein is the closest yet to the novel, and where the adaptation shifts focus

About the Guest
Kristy Leigh Lussier is a screenwriter, producer, actress, and story analyst with a background in development and script evaluation. She champions character driven genre projects, has produced and contributed to numerous independent shorts and features, and mentors emerging writers in the craft and business of screenwriting.

About the Host
With films on network television, streaming platforms, and in theaters, Geoffrey D. Calhoun is a screenwriter, author of The Guide for Every Screenwriter, and a passionate mentor in the industry. He hosts The Successful Screenwriter podcast to empower writers and filmmakers at every level.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• The Running Man (1987)
• The new Running Man
• Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein
• Script Leads blog on TheSuccessfulScreenwriter.com

Connect with Guest: Kristy Leigh Lussier

• Instagram: @kantoka127
• Vertical drama The Witch Wolf’s Mate

Connect with Geoffrey D. Calhoun

• Website: thesuccessfulscreenwriter.com
• Instagram: @screenwriterpod
• YouTube: @thesuccessfulscreenwriter

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